Vehicles in Floodwater? Bendix Offers Servicing Tips
Depending on water depth and time submerged, a truck or trailer might or might not be fit for service again. Affected components must be dried out and inspected. Image: Screen capture from ABC News
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Depending on water depth and time submerged, a truck or trailer might or might not be fit for service again. Affected components must be dried out and inspected. Image: Screen capture from ABC News
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Floodwaters from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma inundated hundreds of thousands of cars and trucks, ruining many of them, news reports say. Modern motor vehicles incorporate so much electrical and electronic circuitry that is not sealed against water, and are so complex, that the vehicles cannot be salvaged. Experts warn that some will be dried out, cleaned up, made to run again, and sent north to be sold to unwary consumers. So, beware!
But heavy trucks and trailers sit higher than cars, and if they’ve been in relatively shallow water and circuitry and onboard computers are not damaged, they might still be serviceable. Not right away, though, emphasizes Bendix Heavy Vehicle systems, which has issued guidelines for repairing air brake and wheel-end components exposed to flood waters.
“At the top of the list is the question of whether the floodwater was salt water,” said Jim Szudy, Bendix’s engineering manager for advanced systems engineering, in a press release. “If the answer is yes, then you should immediately begin replacing parts.”
“Pneumatic air brake valves that have been submerged have likely lost their lubrication, for example. Couple that with the extremely corrosive nature of salt water, and these valves would be at much higher risk for sudden and premature malfunction,” he continued. “Any brake system valve that’s been submerged in sea water should be replaced, along with air compressors, air reservoirs, antilock brake system (ABS) relay modulators, and brake actuators.”
Salt water also makes corrosion of wheel-end parts more likely, leading to increased chances of rust-jacking and damage to other components. Again, Bendix recommends a complete replacement to prevent future failure.
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